Foa_Content_of_HHS-2022-ACL-CIP-DNTC-0085-1.pdf

Administration for Community Living

Center for Innovation and Partnership

National Transportation Accessibility Center

HHS-2022-ACL-CIP-DNTC-0085

06/28/2022

Table of Contents Executive Summary

Additional Overview Content/Executive Summary

I. Funding Opportunity Description

II. Award Information

III. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants

2. Cost Sharing or Matching

3. Responsiveness and Screening Criteria

IV. Application and Submission Information

1. Address to Request Application Package

2. Content and Form of Application Submission

Letter of Intent

Project Narrative

Summary/Abstract

Goals and Objectives

Special Target Populations and Organizations

Outcomes

Project Management

Evaluation

Dissemination

Organizational Capability

Budget Narrative/Justification

Work Plan

Letters of Commitment from Key Participating Organizations and Agencies

3. Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM)

4. Submission Dates and Times

5. Intergovernmental Review

6. Funding Restrictions

7. Other Submission Requirements

V. Application Review Information

1. Criteria

2. Review and Selection Process

3. Anticipated Announcement Award Date

VI. Award Administration Information

1. Award Notices

2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

3. Reporting

4. FFATA and FSRS Reporting

VII. Agency Contacts

VIII. Other Information

The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (P.L. 104-13)

Appendix

Instructions for Completing Required Forms

Budget Narrative/Justification- Sample Format

Instructions for Completing the Project Summary/ Abstract

ACL Center:

Center for Innovation and Partnership Funding Opportunity Title:

National Transportation Accessibility Center Funding Opportunity Number:

HHS-2022-ACL-CIP-DNTC-0085

Primary CFDA Number:

93.631 Due Date for Letter of Intent:

05/23/2022 Due Date for Applications:

06/28/2022 Date for Informational Conference Call:

05/19/2022 Applications that fail to meet the application due date will not be reviewed and will receive no further consideration. You are strongly encouraged to submit your application a minimum of 3-5 days prior to the application closing date. Do not wait until the last day in the event you encounter technical difficulties, either on your end or, with https://www.grants.gov. Grants.gov can take up to 48 hours to notify you of a successful submission.

Executive Summary https://www.grants.gov/

Additional Overview Content/Executive Summary The Administration for Community Living (ACL) is making this funding opportunity available to establish a National Transportation Accessibility Center (NTAC) that serves as the national technical assistance center that advances greater awareness, adoption and use of assistive technology and other accessibility strategies that make transportation systems, services, vehicles, program enrollment locations and websites, and apps accessible and responsive to the needs of people with disabilities, older adults and family caregivers and others in their support network. The NTAC will identify and provide materials for a NTAC website housed on acl.gov; create and support a National Accessible Transportation Accelerator Network (NATAN); identify, disseminate, and support replication of accessibility strategies, inclusive planning, and mobility on demand transportation systems; and facilitate a community of practice to increase access to and use of accessible transportation in historically marginalized and underserved communities.

The work builds upon work previously done to strengthen coordinated and inclusive transportation planning and systems for persons with disabilities and older adults. The successful applicant will leverage and use the Transit Planning 4 All website materials, technical assistance resources and national peer-to-peer network to promote and expand the availability and use of accessible transportation systems and services. The successful applicant will collaborate and coordinate the activities with the Federal Transit Agency (FTA) funded Technical Assistance Resource Centers and ACL funded transportation related Technical Assistance Resource Centers.

ACL will award one grant to a domestic public or private non-profit entity, which includes state and local governments, Indian tribal governments and organizations (American Indian/Alaskan Native/Native American), faith-based organizations, community-based organizations, hospitals, and institutions of higher education, for no more than $500,000 per year for a five-year project, with one-year budget periods, subject to the availability of funds.

The award will be made in the form of a cooperative agreement because ACL will be substantially involved.

Applicants must have demonstrated experience and a proven track record in supporting states and communities to develop and implement inclusive planning that involves people with disabilities of any age and older adults in the development of transportation systems and services; promoting coordinated transportation systems that respond to the needs of people with disabilities and older adults; experience supporting communities in implementing mobility on demand transportation systems; and demonstrated experience in partnering with national stakeholder groups that are involved in the provision of transportation services and information to these target populations. Only one application per agency/organization will be accepted.

The Administration for Community Living’s (ACL) mission is to maximize the independence, well-being, and health of older adults, people with disabilities across the lifespan, their families, and their support networks. The Administration for Community Living was created around the fundamental principle that older adults and people with disabilities of all ages should be able to live where they choose, with the people they choose, and with the ability to https://transitplanning4all.org/ participate fully in their communities. By funding services and supports provided by networks of community-based organizations and with investments in research, education, and innovation, ACL helps make this principle a reality for millions of Americans.

I. Funding Opportunity Description

A. PURPOSE/STATEMENT OF NEED

People with disabilities and older adults use transportation to engage in many aspects of daily life, including accessing healthy food, getting to school, attending doctor appointments, seeing friends and family, and going to work. Yet with an estimated 25.5 million Americans reportedly experiencing travel-limiting disabilities, many individuals with disabilities and older adults confront a variety of barriers in accessing transportation.[1] These barriers are persistent and exacerbated for individuals living in rural areas, especially in under-resourced rural areas, and those living in poverty.

The availability of accessible transportation options that are convenient, affordable, and safe remains a top concern of people with disabilities, older adults, family caregivers and others in their support network and the communities where they live. A recent study describes the challenges people aging with mobility disabilities confront and the importance of integrating the user input in transportation policy development and implementation to identify opportunities for improvement.[2] “These challenges include utilizing public and private modes of transportation, related to availability; accessibility; safety; advanced planning; as well as societal attitudes. The study found that barriers to the availability, delivery, and coordination of access and mobility services are linked directly or indirectly to people’s reports of experiencing a shortage of accessible transportation options.”[3] The study lists accessibility issues, which include transferring to and from vehicles; steps and stairs; limited access to accessible vehicles;

wheelchair access and storage; and lack of accessible parking spaces.

ACL facilitated a Transportation Listening Session with 56 individuals from 31 organizations.

The participants underscored that the need still exists to increase the availability of accessible transportation systems, services, vehicles, program enrollment locations, websites, and apps. The Transit Planning 4 All project has identified the need to make public transit more accessible, including installing assistive technology communication devices in buses so bus drivers can communicate with people who do not communicate verbally and/or use alternative methods of communication; working with Transportation Network Companies to increase the availability of accessible vehicles; installing way-finding in public transit systems for people with low or no-vision; improving sidewalk access and installing wheelchair charging stations;

bike safety and biking paths; and the need to increase access to transportation systems and services, program enrollment locations, websites, vehicles, and transportation related apps.

https://acl.gov/programs/transportation/transportation

The transportation industry is transforming and rapidly developing. There are unprecedented investments and advancements in electric and autonomous vehicle (AV), and autonomous transportation system (ATS) technologies. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Public Law 117-58) is a historical investment that will rebuild America’s roads, bridges, and rails. With this critical activity, innovation, and investment in the nation’s transportation infrastructure, the time is now to assure that it is designed, built, and rebuilt with accessibility for all populations integrated into the process. Doing so will help to mitigate transportation-related barriers for people with disabilities and older adults. It would enable new employment opportunities for approximately two million people with disabilities and save $19 billion annually in healthcare expenditures from missed medical appointments alone.

ACL seeks to address the persistent barriers people with disabilities and older adults face in accessing transportation by building on prior ACL investments, including the Transit Planning 4 All project, by funding a National Transportation Accessibility Center (NTAC). The goal of the Center will be to create greater access to transportation for people with disabilities and older adults by increasing awareness and adoption of transportation accessibility strategies, inclusive planning, and mobility on demand transportation systems. To achieve this, NTAC will serve as a national resource and technical assistance center that:

utilizes a variety of strategies to advance greater awareness, adoption and use of assistive technology and other strategies that make transportation systems, services, and apps accessible and responsive to the needs of people with disabilities, older adults, family caregivers and others in their support network.

promotes inclusive planning and invests in work to promote greater access to transportation systems, services and supports that are accessible integrates inclusive planning and accessibility strategies into broader work in transportation.

Key activities of the NTAC will be:

initial work on identifying and disseminating successful accessibility strategies.

identifying and providing materials for the NTAC website housed on acl.gov.

establishing and developing the National Accessible Transportation Accelerator Network

(NATAN).

working with five communities to increase accessible transportation options for historically marginalized and underserved communities.

coordinating activities with the FTA funded transportation and ACL transportation related resource centers to leverage resources, including dissemination channels.

ACL will fund one cooperative agreement to a lead organization that works in partnership with national organizations, states, communities, tribal organizations, and the disability, aging and transportation sector partners to form a National Transportation Accessibility Center (NTAC). ACL expects that no single organization will be able to completely fulfill the priority areas addressed in this project. Therefore, applicants should describe how they plan to partner with other organizations, including organizations that advocate for, serve and support people with disabilities of any age, older adults, family caregivers and others in their support network, traditionally unserved and underserved populations, including those from racially and ethnically https://www.congress.gov/117/plaws/publ58/PLAW-117publ58.pdf diverse populations, with intersectional identities and the transportation sector (providers, planners, system designers). While the applicant organization must be the fiscal and programmatic lead, applicants should clearly define their key partners’ roles throughout the application materials (e.g., work plan, budget, project narrative). Applicants should include letters of commitment from initial partners in this application. This organization can be a domestic public or private non-profit entity (which includes state and local governments, Indian tribal governments and organizations (American Indian/Alaskan Native/Native American), faith-based organizations, community-based organizations, hospitals, and institutions of higher education. Applicant(s) must include a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) from one of the following: Minority entities and Indian tribes to carry out activities under the programs authorized under titles II, III, VI, and VII of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended, minority entities and Indian tribes to conduct research, training, technical assistance, or a related activity, to improve services provided under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended, especially services provided to individuals from minority backgrounds.

NTAC will work in collaboration with the US Federal Transit Administration funded Transportation Technical Assistance Centers and the ACL funded transportation related Technical Assistance Resource Centers.

The Center will be guided by principles of equity, community living, and self-determination and will promote community living, stressing the importance of empowering individuals with disabilities to exercise full choice and control over their lives and to live independently in their communities with the appropriate services and supports. It is expected that the successful applicant(s) will demonstrate how these aims will be advanced particularly through active, meaningful collaborations with a diverse array of stakeholders vested in community living, self-advocacy, and self-determination. Successful applicant(s) will provide evidence that individuals with disabilities and older adults, including those from culturally, linguistically diverse backgrounds, and non-traditional groups will be actively and meaningfully engaged throughout all funded activities, including staffing, administration, and governance.

[1]UTC Spotlight Newsletter - January 2022 (transportation.gov) [2] “Transportation challenges for persons aging with mobility disability: Qualitative insights and policy implications” by Elena T. Remillard, MS, Margaret L. Campbell, PhD, Lyndsie M.

Koon, PhD, Wendy A. Rogers, PhD. Published in the January 2022 Disability and Health Journal [3] “Transportation challenges for persons aging with mobility disability: Qualitative insights and policy implications” by Elena T. Remillard, MS, Margaret L. Campbell, PhD, Lyndsie M.

Koon, PhD, Wendy A. Rogers, PhD. Published in the January 2022 Disability and Health Journal.

B. PROGRAM HISTORY/BACKGROUND

In 2012, ACL in partnership with the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) launched a "Research and Demonstration Program to Improve Coordinated Transportation Systems for People with Disabilities and Older Adults." The purpose of this program was to identify proven models and approaches that can be used by states and communities across the country to empower people with disabilities and older adults to be actively involved in the design and https://www.transportation.gov/sites/dot.gov/files/2022-01/UTC%20Newsletter_Q1_Jan2022.pdf https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1936657421001825 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1936657421001825 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1936657421001825 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1936657421001825 implementation of coordinated transportation systems that successfully make those systems responsive to the needs of these populations. A second 5-year grant was issued in 2017 titled:

“Strengthening Coordinated Transportation Systems for People with Disabilities and Older Adults.” This grant yielded many results, including:

42 communities engaged in inclusive planning to improve their transportation systems and services, A Transit Planning 4 All website, Technical assistance resources that advance inclusive planning, such as, An Inclusive

Planning Guide, descriptions of successful models, toolkits for replication, and a method to measure the degree to which inclusive planning is occurring, A Peer-to-Peer mentoring group, and Three communities that are using inclusive planning to implement Mobility on Demand transportation systems in collaboration with people with disabilities of any age, and family caregivers and others in the support network.

This funding will extend the work of these prior investments to continue to promote inclusive planning.

The Center will leverage collective federal investments in work intended to promote greater access to transportation systems, services and supports that are accessible, as well as integrating inclusive planning and accessibility strategies into broader work in transportation. To this end, the project will launch as states and local communities begin implementing The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Public Law 117-58) that will rebuild America’s roads, bridges, and rails. It is expected that this project will engage in activities to assure the transportation infrastructure is rebuilt with accessibility for all populations integrated into the process.

This project will also be part of the FTA and ACL partnership to coordinate the transportation technical assistance activities provided through these technical assistance resource centers.

Today, FTA funds the National Center for Mobility Management (NCMM), the National Aging and Disability Transportation Resource Center (NADTC), the National Rural Transit Assistance Program (RTAP), the National Center for Applied Transit Technology (NCATT), and the Shared-Use Mobility Center (SUMC). It is expected that this Center will collaborate and coordinate with these FTA funded efforts. In addition to the FTA funded transportation technical assistance resource centers, ACL funds transportation related resource centers that provide data and information that can be used to inform decision makers regarding the need for accessible transportation systems and services, provide quality of life grants to adopt more accessible transportation systems and services, and increase awareness of assistive technology that makes aspects of transportation systems and services, program enrollment locations, websites and transportation related apps more accessible. These resource centers include: ADA Participatory Action Research Consortium (PARC), the Paralysis Resource Center (PRC), the AT3 (the state Assistive Technology Training, Technical Assistance and Internet Site), and the Transit Planning 4 All. The NTAC will be a critical part of these initiatives.

The grantee will promote community living and stress the importance of empowering individuals with disabilities and older adults to exercise full choice and control over their lives and to live independently in their communities with the appropriate services and supports. It is expected that the successful applicant(s) will demonstrate how these aims will be advanced particularly https://transitplanning4all.org/ through active, meaningful collaborations with a diverse array of stakeholders vested in community living, self-advocacy, health, and wellness. Successful applicants also will provide evidence that individuals with disabilities and older adults, including those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, will be actively and meaningfully engaged throughout all funded activities, including staffing, administration, and governance.

C. PROGRAM GOALS

ACL seeks to fund one (1) five-year cooperative agreement to establish and maintain the National Transportation Accessibility Center (NTAC) to create greater access to transportation for people with disabilities and older adults by increasing awareness and adoption of transportation accessibility strategies, inclusive planning, and mobility on demand transportation systems. NTAC will serve as a national resource and technical assistance center that advances greater awareness, adoption and use of assistive technology and other strategies that make transportation systems, services, program enrollment locations, websites, and apps accessible and responsive to the needs of people with disabilities, older adults and family caregivers and others in their support network. By targeting efforts in each of these areas, ACL aims to improve transportation systems and services that will support people with disabilities and older adults to live well in the community.

Outcomes:

ACL anticipates the center achieving intermediate and long-term outcomes.

Intermediate Outcomes:

By the end of the 5 years ACL anticipates

NTAC website on acl.gov includes descriptions and resources needed to replicate and disseminate transportation accessibility strategies, inclusive planning strategies and mobility on demand transportation systems. Key consumer facing resources that will be used by the NATAN will be available in multiple languages.

Transportation systems and service providers, website designers, vehicle manufactures, program developers, and transportation app developers have more knowledge about accessibility strategies and be incorporating them into transportation infrastructure projects.

Members of the National Accessible Transportation Accelerator Network (NATAN) successfully adopt accessibility strategies in communities throughout the country and identify strategies to increase by 10 percent the adoption of accessibility strategies in the remaining communities throughout the country.

The 5 historically underserved communities that participate in the Community of Practice have improved access to transportation services aligned with the goals they develop in their community of practice.

Transportation systems and services are more responsive to the needs of the people that use transportation to engage in daily activities, social events, recreation, faith-based activities, education, work, and healthcare because people with disabilities and older adults are included in transportation system development, planning, and operations.

Long-term Outcomes:

Ultimately, as a result of this project, ACL envisions that:

People with disabilities, older adults, family caregivers and others in their support networks can access and use public transportation systems and services, enroll in transportation programs in person or through websites, and use transportation related apps without experiencing accessibility challenges.

Vehicles are designed to accommodate mobility devices including wheelchairs.

As the transportation infrastructure is updated, transit systems, vehicles, wayfinding signage, technology apps, sidewalks and first mile/last mile infrastructure includes accessibility features enabling all people to use the transportation.

These outcomes will be achieved by partnering with FTA and ACL funded transportation resources centers, leveraging and replicating the work of disability and aging network agencies and transportation partners that have implemented accessible transportation strategies, and building upon proven models and approaches that can be used by states and communities to involve people with disabilities of any age, older adults, family caregivers and others in their support network in the design and implementation of coordinated transportation systems that successfully make those systems more accessible and responsive to the needs of these populations.

D. MAJOR ACTIVITES

Applicants should respond to this funding announcement by submitting a proposal that describe a well-designed, strategic approach they will take, if funded, to create, maintain, and sustain the National Transportation Accessibility Center (NTAC) that works on advancing greater accessible transportation systems and services. In doing so, applicants should thoroughly describe the current status of inclusive transportation planning in the U.S. as it relates to the availability of accessible transportation systems and services, program enrollment locations and websites, transportation apps, and vehicles; and clearly articulate how proposed approaches will further advance such activities. Applicant(s) should explain how they plan to implement the major activities outlined in this subsection below along with any other activities they deem necessary to achieve the outcomes listed in Subsection C above.

1. Ensuring the project is driven by individuals with lived experience. Applicants should describe how they will develop a steering committee comprised entirely of people with disabilities and older adults to guide the development and dissemination of the Center, including the resources and other activities of the Center. Applicants should describe their plan for developing this steering committee and ensuring the group is inclusive of people with disabilities and older adults from historically underserved groups, such as those who are: Deaf and hard of hearing, blind and low vision, Deaf-blind, LGBTQ+, people of color, immigrants, incarcerated/formerly incarcerated people, indigenous people, and/or belong to different types of faiths. Applicants should ensure they budget appropriately for every individual to fully participate in the steering committee, including the cost of reasonable accommodations, virtual meeting platforms, and potentially stipends for the individuals’ time. Applicants should describe how they will recruit, support, and engage with this steering committee.

2. Increasing awareness and adoption of transportation accessibility strategies, inclusive planning, and mobility on demand transportation systems throughout the nation and across diverse populations. Applicants should describe how they will identify transportation accessibility strategies, inclusive planning approaches, and mobility on demand transportation systems ready for replication. Applicants should include a replication and dissemination plan that describe techniques they plan to use to promote awareness and adoption of transportation accessibility; inclusive planning; and mobility on demand transportation systems throughout the nation. Applicants should include how resources will be available in multiple languages and media to support replication. The dissemination plan should include how the applicant will integrate and use FTA funded technical assistance resource centers and ACL funded transportation related technical assistance resource centers and the NATAN to increase adoption of accessibility strategies more broadly. To that end, applicants should clearly describe their plans for outreach and marketing of project findings and lessons learned to intended audiences and/or consumers, especially key stakeholder organizations at the national, state, regional and local levels, so that the information can be used by others to successfully involve greater segments of the population in the planning, design and implementation of accessible transportation systems and services, program enrollment locations and websites, transportation apps, and vehicles.

3. Identifying and providing materials for a National Transportation Accessibility Center (NTAC) Website housed on acl.gov. A NTAC website will be the central structure for curating and disseminating information on accessibility strategies, inclusive planning strategies and resources, and mobility on demand transportation systems throughout the country. ACL will develop and make available the necessary pages on the ACL.gov website for all materials, products, and other information related to the project.

In this regard, a new dedicated page on the ACL website will be the primary web presence for this project. ACL requires that information and materials provided by the grantee and partners for dissemination, regardless of method, will be fully accessible (i.e., 508-compliant, Website Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0), and meet the cultural and linguistic needs of the intended audience. With the ACL.gov web page as the primary vehicle for presenting and organizing public-facing information, ACL anticipates that the successful grantee will develop and employ a robust and far-reaching dissemination strategy designed to ensure that project information, existing federal resources, best practices, and other information are available and shared broadly. Applicants should describe how NTAC will use the successful Transit Planning 4 All website content and content from FTA transportation technical assistance resource centers and the ACL funded transportation related resource centers to identify and/or provide content to include on the website. Applicants should also describe their dissemination plans and articulate the methods (e.g., electronic/web-based, in-person, print, etc.) by which such activities will occur.

4. Developing, supporting, and maintaining a National Accessible Transportation Accelerator Network (NATAN). The applicant should describe how they will create and support a NATAN composed of individuals, disability, aging, assistive technology, transportation agencies, community and state leaders, local, state, and national associations dedicated to advocating for, implementing, and adopting transportation accessibility strategies. The NATAN will increase awareness and adoption of transportation accessibility strategies so that transportation systems and services, program enrollment locations and websites, vehicles and apps throughout the country are accessible. The network should include a diverse group of people representative of people throughout the country, that are committed to the goal of the NATAN. At a minimum this network should include aging and disability community-based organizations to help with the establishment and embedding of accelerator networks with the goal of ensuring viability and sustainability over the long term; and facilitate the uptake, replication, and translation of model and promising practices as part of the project’s dissemination activities. With implementation of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Public Law 117-58), the NATAN will work to get accessibility features built into the transportation infrastructure by empowering and creating a more knowledgeable cohort of people throughout the country who can drive change at state and local levels. As part of year one activities the NTAC will develop a technology needs plan that will identify and describe the technology needed to support the functionality of the NATAN (e.g. application process, platform for peer-to-peer sharing).

5. Facilitating a community of practice (COP) with 5 communities of historically underserved populations. The applicant should describe how they will establish and support COPs with 5 geographically defined communities of historically underserved populations. The CoP should include transportation providers, people with disabilities and older adults, their caregivers and others in their support network and organizations that serve them and publicly assisted housing providers/operators. The focus of the COP will be to increase transportation access and utilization in the historically underserved communities. Some of the funding should be used to make sub-grants to the communities engaged in the COP to support their activities conducted through the COP including public engagement, using ASL interpreters and developing resources in multiple languages. At least 2 of the 5 communities should be rural communities.

6. Coordinating and collaborating with FTA funded technical assistance Transportation Centers and ACL funded transportation related technical assistance resource centers to leverage technical assistance activities and amplify adoption and replication of successful transportation accessibility strategies, inclusive planning, and mobility on demand transportation systems throughout the country. The application should describe an approach and strategy that leverages the work of the FTA transportation technical assistance resource centers and the ACL funded transportation related technical assistance resource centers to establish The National Transportation Accessibility Center, identify and provide materials for the NTAC website, NATAN, and the community of practice. The application should include a dissemination strategy, and an approach to identify technical assistance resources already available and technical assistance resources that are needed. The intent is to leverage, collaborate, amplify, and disseminate successful transportation accessibility strategies throughout the country and advance inclusive transportation planning and greater availability of Mobility on Demand systems and services. The NTAC will develop technical assistance resources to fill gaps and promote greater adoption of accessibility strategies, inclusive planning, and mobility on demand transportation systems.

7. Partnership: The successful applicant will target and include participation of Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs), Center for Independent Living (CIL), University Centers for Excellence on Developmental Disabilities (UCEDDs), Aging and Disability Resource Centers/No Wrong Door Systems, Tribal organizations, and state Assistive Technology Act programs in the NATAN, to disseminate information, replicate and translate models and best practices that emerge from this project.

8. Sustainability. Through this funding opportunity, ACL expects to realize tangible, measurable and sustainable advancements in inclusive planning practices at the Federal, state and community levels; accessible transportation systems and services, program enrollment locations and websites, apps and vehicles throughout the country; greater availability of mobility on demand transportation systems and services; and strategies to create greater equity in the availability and use of accessible transportation for historically marginalized and underserved populations. Applications will be evaluated, in part, on the extent to which a plan for the project’s sustainability beyond the period of Federal funding is articulated and appears feasible. Applicants are encouraged to consider and propose a range of potential approaches for ensuring sustainability of project efforts once Federal funding has ended.

9. Evaluation. Applicants will describe how they will use process evaluation techniques to analyze delivery of project activities to determine, among other things: (a) the extent to which the project is implemented as planned, (b) how the project activities are being received, (c) the barriers to implementation, and (d) areas for project improvements/refinements. Applicants will also describe how they will use summative evaluation techniques to determine project success in meeting the intended outcomes of the project in terms of an increase in the:

o Percentage of transportation infrastructure projects that incorporate (adopt/implement) accessibility strategies into transportation systems and services, program enrollment locations and websites, apps, and vehicles.

o Percentage of people using transportation systems and services in the 5 historically underserved communities participating in the community of practice.

o Quantity of members of the NATAN and geographical representation across the U.S

F. DEFINITIONS

Note: List and define any terms/phrases that need additional explanation and, where necessary, site references.

FTA funded Transportation Technical Assistance Centers - FTA funds 10 Transportation Technical Assistance Centers that include: National Center for Mobility Management (NCMM), National Aging and Disability Transportation (NADTC), National Center for Applied Transit Technology (N-CATT), National Rural Transportation Assistance Program (RTAP), Shared-Use Mobility Center (SUMC), International Transportation Learning Center (ITLC), the Transit Workforce Center (TWC), National Transit Institute (NTI), Mobility on Demand Innovation and Knowledge Accelerator (IKA), and the Multi-State Technical Assistance Program (MTAP).

National Center for Mobility Management (NCMM) - supports FTA’s Transit & Health Access Initiative and is funded through a cooperative agreement with FTA. The NCMM’s mission is to promote customer-centered mobility strategies that advance good health, economic vitality, self-sufficiency, and community. NCMM provides technical assistance and training;

catalogs and disseminates best practice information on innovative mobility management programs; and works to enhance the coordination of Federal resources for human services transportation, especially for people with disabilities, older adults, and people of lower income.

NCMM tracks State and regional transportation coordination contact information at https://nationalcenterformobilitymanagement.org/states-at-a-glance/ National Aging and Disability Transportation Center (NADTC) - is a national technical assistance center funded by FTA with guidance from the Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Community Living (ACL). NADTC promotes the availability and accessibility of transportation options that serve the needs of people with disabilities, older adults, caregivers, and communities with a focus on the Enhanced Mobility of Seniors & https://nationalcenterformobilitymanagement.org/states-at-a-glance/

Individuals with Disabilities Section 5310 program and other transit investments. The NADTC supports the delivery of effective, efficient, high-quality, and coordinated specialized transportation services that maximize Federal investments.

National Center for Applied Transit Technology (N-CATT) - provides technical assistance to small-urban, rural, and Tribal transit agencies. N-CATT supports the use and development of transit technologies and innovations with the goal of making services more cost-effective and efficient. N-CATT’s work supports CCAM’s mission by developing and supporting transit programs—which includes support for CCAM’s targeted populations—in rural and small-city America.

National Rural Transportation Assistance Program (RTAP) - addresses the training and technical assistance needs of rural and Tribal transit programs across the nation and supports state RTAP programs. National RTAP provides comprehensive free technical assistance programs and resources, including training materials, webinars, newsletters and technical briefs, peer resources, research, and innovative technology initiatives. RTAP’s technical assistance aligns with the mission of the CCAM by helping to improve the availability and efficiency of rural and Tribal transit.

Shared-Use Mobility Center (SUMC) - is focused on bringing together the public, private industry, and local communities to forge partnerships, develop resources, and advance new solutions in order to reduce reliance on private automobiles and increase access to environmentally sound, cost-effective transportation options.

International Transportation Learning Center (ITLC) - is the only organization funded by the Federal Transit Administration, the US Department of Labor, and the Transit Cooperative Research Program to develop and support technical training partnerships for today’s and tomorrow’s front-line transportation work force.

Transit Workforce Center (TWC) - will support public transit agencies’ workforce development needs for all modes of public transit across urban, tribal, and rural entities. The overarching mission of this new center is to assist public transit agencies to recruit, hire, train, and retain the diverse workforce needed now and in the future. The TWC will also help address the national transit worker shortage by providing technical assistance activities geared towards developing frontline transit workers’ skills and recruiting workers to transit careers through various programs, such as apprenticeships, and partnerships.

National Transit Institute (NTI) - Rutgers University conducts trainings and educational programs related to public transportation. Funded by FTA, NTI’s mission is to provide training, education, and clearinghouse services in support of public transportation and quality of life in the United States. Training is available to public transportation agencies, metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs), State Departments of Transportation, and other agencies providing transportation services.

Mobility on Demand Innovation and Knowledge Accelerator (IKA) - is a partnership between the Shared Use Mobility Center (SUMC) and FTA. The IKA provides technical assistance to support FTA’s Mobility on Demand Sandbox grantees and shares knowledge learned with the larger public transportation industry.

Multi-State Technical Assistance Program (MTAP) - administered by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), provides a forum through which state-level public transportation agencies can communicate with each other about federal transit regulations, grant program management, and technical issues pertaining to everyday administration of public transportation service. MTAP was developed to benefit the member states as well as their Federal program counterparts and local transit operators.

Networking among the States is conducted through two annual meetings, peer-to-peer assistance, conference calls, and electronic communication.

ACL Funded Technical Assistance Center:

Transit Planning for All (TP4A) - is a technical assistance resource center that issues demonstration grants to communities of older adults, people with disabilities and transportation providers to engage in inclusive planning and develop technical assistance resources to replicate successful strategies.

National Assistive Technology Act Technical Assistance and Training Center (AT3) - is a one-stop connection to information about assistive technology (AT). Every state has an AT program. The state AT program demonstrates AT, provides training on AT, and makes short term loans of AT so people can try the AT prior to making a purchase. There is AT available to assist people with transportation. The AT3 site lists contacts in every state AT program.

American with Disabilities Act Participatory Action Research Consortium (ADA-PARC)-publishes maps that assist policy makers, community leaders, transportation developers and state leaders in understanding transportation needs and identifyi00ng opportunities for improvement.

Paralysis Resource Center (PARC) - provides information for traveling with your wheelchair and makes grants to communities to increase access to transportation and technology.

Statutory Authority The statutory authority to make grants is found in Title I, Subtitle E, Section 162 of The Developmental Disabilities Assistance, Section 21 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Bill of Rights Act of 2000 (Public Law 106-402) and Section 411 of the Older Americans Act.

II. Award Information Funding Instrument Type:

CA (Cooperative Agreement) Estimated Total Funding:

$2,500,000

Expected Number of Awards:

Award Ceiling:

$500,000 Per Budget Period

Award Floor:

$485,000 Per Budget Period

Length of Project Period:

60-month project period with five 12-month budget periods Additional Information on Project Periods and Explanation of 'Other'

III. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants For FY 2022 the below guidance is provided to advance the Administration’s policy, as stated in E.O. 13985, to “pursue a comprehensive approach to advancing equity for all, including people of color and others who have been historically underserved, marginalized, and adversely affected by persistent poverty and inequality.” This guidance is intended to begin to address inequities in HHS programs, processes, and policies that may serve as barriers to equal opportunity. By advancing equity in our NOFOs, we can “create opportunities for the improvement of communities that have been historically underserved, which benefits everyone.”

Domestic public or private non-profit entities including state and local governments, Indian tribal governments and organizations (American Indian/Alaskan Native/Native American), faith-based organizations, community-based organizations, hospitals, and institutions of higher education.

Priority will be given to national public, national private non-profit agencies, national organizations including national faith and community-based organizations (FBOs and CBOs), and national Indian tribal organizations with demonstrated experience in promoting inclusive planning and working with community teams of transportation providers, people with disabilities and older adults.

For the purposes of this competition, national organizations are defined as those entities established with headquarters and administration for an organized group of bodies (local chapters, affiliates, faith and community-based and tribal organizations) dedicated to improving transportation services for a major, nationwide segment of the older adult and persons with disabilities population.

Applicants must show that they have demonstrated experience and a proven track record in supporting and promoting the use of inclusive planning and the development of coordinated transportation systems that respond to the needs of people with disabilities and older adults. Applicants must show that they have demonstrated experience in partnering with national stakeholder groups, whose members advocate for and/or serve older adults, people with disabilities, caregivers and/or plan and provide community transportation systems. Coordination with existing FTA and ACL funded transportation resource centers is essential; therefore, applicants must show how they are coordinating with FTA and ACL funded transportation resource centers. Only one application per agency/organization will be accepted.

Applications that do not meet the responsiveness criteria outlined in Section III.3 below will be administratively eliminated and will not be reviewed. The successful applicant will be an organization that meets the criteria listed below. Applicants must conform to the following elements:

1. Applicants must meet the criteria for national organizations as defined above.

2. Applicants must have demonstrated experience in supporting and promoting the use of inclusive planning and the development of coordinated transportation systems that respond to the needs of people with disabilities and older adults; and

3. Applicants must show how they are coordinating or plan to coordinate with one or more FTA and ACL funded transportation resource centers.

SEC. 162. <<NOTE: 42 USC 15082.>> GRANT AUTHORITY. (a) In General. --The Secretary shall award grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements to public or private nonprofit entities for projects of national significance relating to individuals with developmental disabilities to carry out activities described in section 161(2).

2. Cost Sharing or Matching Cost Sharing / Matching Requirement:

No For awards that require matching or cost sharing by statute, recipients will be held accountable for projected commitments of non-federal resources (at or above the statutory requirement) in their application budgets and budget justifications by budget period, or by project period for fully funded awards. The applicant will be held accountable for all proposed non-federal resources as shown in the Notice of Award (NOA). A recipient's failure to provide the statutorily required matching or cost sharing amount (and any voluntary committed amount in excess) may result in the disallowance of federal funds. Recipients will be required to report these funds in the Federal Financial Reports.

For awards that do not require matching or cost sharing by statute, recipients are not expected to provide cost sharing or matching. However, recipients are allowed to voluntarily propose a commitment of non-federal resources. If an applicant decides to voluntarily contribute non-federal resources towards project costs and the costs are accepted by ACL, the non-federal resources will be included in the approved project budget. The applicant will be held accountable for all proposed non-federal resources as shown in the Notice of Award (NOA). A recipient's failure to meet the voluntary amount of non-federal resources that was accepted by ACL as part of the approved project costs and that was identified in the approved budget in the NOA, may result in the disallowance of federal funds. Recipients will be required to report these funds in the Federal Financial Reports.

a. Awards that require matching or cost sharing by statute: There are two types of match: 1) non-federal cash and 2) non-federal in-kind. In general, costs borne by the applicant and cash contributions of any and all third parties involved in the project, including sub-grantees, contractors, and consultants, are considered matching funds. Volunteered time and use of facilities to hold meetings or conduct project activities may be considered in-kind (third-party) donations.

Budgetary funds provided from the applicant agency’s budget for costs associated with the project are an example of a non-federal cash match. ACL encourages you to not exceed the minimum match requirement.